aerial view of Western's campus at night facing northwest, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

WWU Alum Grace Yockey and her grandmother featured in USA Today and the TODAY Show

Her viral Instagram account, @vlogswithvava, brought national attention to the everyday joys and challenges of a 24-year-old caring for her grandmother with dementia

Caitlyn Daniels

Assistant Director of Digital Engagement Strategy

Grace Yockey with her Grandma, Valerie or "Vava," following Yockey's WWU Commencement ceremony in 2023.

WWU alum Grace Yockey ’23 is gaining national attention for the heartwarming way she shares life with her grandmother, affectionately known as “Vava.” After graduating from Western with a degree in Business and Sustainability, Grace moved in with her grandmother to become her caregiver. The two of them started the Instagram account @vlogswithvava, documenting their everyday adventures and offering a candid, joyful look at what it’s like to navigate life together while caring for a loved one with dementia. The account has gained traction for its unique perspective on caregiving and the way Grace and Vava find humor and joy in their everyday lives.

Their story was recently featured in USA Today, and the TODAY Show aired a segment about Grace and Vava on Monday, September 7.

During her time at WWU, Yockey earned her degree in Business and Sustainability and worked as a Resident Advisor in the Beta-Gamma community. She also continued her connection to the university after graduation, working as an Admissions Advisor before transitioning to move in with her grandmother and become her caregiver.

“Western holds such a special place in my heart and truly helped shape both the person I am today and the community I’ve built,” Yockey said.

Grace Yockey with fellow Business and Sustainability graduate, Seb, and their professor Craig Dunn.

That sense of community continues through @vlogswithvava on Instagram, where Yockey shares snapshots of everyday life with Vava, from outings to local coffee shops and impromptu piano performances at home to cozy moments with her cat, Tito. The account has grown into a community of more than 20,000 followers, including other young caregivers who connect with Yockey’s experiences.

Yockey's cat, Tito, as a kitten on WWU's campus.

Tito was also something of a celebrity around Western’s campus during Yockey’s time as a Resident Advisor. She got Tito when he was just a kitten, and he grew up alongside her in Ridgeway Beta, Alma Clark Glass, and Buchanan Towers. She would often take Tito for walks around campus, where he quickly became a beloved face to students and staff. His presence was a memorable part of Yockey’s experience as a Resident Advisor, and his campus adventures became part of the community she built during her time at WWU. Today, Tito has an important new role: providing comfort and companionship for Yockey’s grandmother, Valerie.